Classes.

Yes, that's right: I will be taking classes on the ship! Of the 100-day voyage, approximately 55 days will be spent on the boat and 45 days in port. On the boat, the class schedule is A-day/B-day and our "weekends" will be the days in port, as well as the occasional day off from class while at sea. My classes are as follows:

Geography 1000: Global Studies (required)
Biology 0810: Intro to Environmental Studies
Marketing 1449: Topics in International Marketing - Tourism
Business 1760: Business Law

Semester at Sea recommends just taking 4 classes (12 units) during the voyage, which is what I'll be doing, since each course requires Faculty Directed Practica (aka FDP's) that are part of your grade, excursions you must do in some of the ports and then use them in a paper and/or journal. Plus, the semester is shorter than normal and they have to cram an entire semester's worth of material into 45 days of classes! I'm extremely excited for the Tourism class, it sounds VERY interesting, and I can't wait for Global Studies. I love geography and learning about other cultures (duh...why else would I be going on SAS?!) but I've never taken a class about that particular subject. Of course, as I'm sure you could guess, I'm least excited about Biology. Hence the reason I'm a Business major! ;) Anyone wanna be my tutor? LOL!

Mail Time!

I would absolutely love to receive mail while I'm on the ship to hear about how everyone else is doing. Even a postcard would be great! Of course I'll send something in return. :) Send mail to:

Nicki Osborn
C/O: MV Explorer
Arrival Date**
Port Agent Address**

Important: The U.S. Post Office recommends sending international mail at least two weeks in advance, so try to send it BEFORE the suggested dates below. Letters/Postcards should be sent Airmail only, do not enclose currency or send packages!


**
San Juan, Puerto Rico (Suggested airmail date January 9)
January 23, 2006
Cruise Plus Service & Sales
1760 Fernandez Juncos Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00909

Salvador, Brazil (Suggested airmail date January 18)
February 1, 2006
Oceanus Agencia Maritima
Av. Estados Unidos, 555
7th Floor/Room 712
40015-010 Salvador, BAHIA-BRASIL

Cape Town, South Africa (Suggested airmail date January 31)
February 14, 2006
John T. Rennie & Sons
PO Box 702
1 Thibault House
8000 Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

Port Louis, Maritius (Suggested airmail date February 11)
February 27, 2006
Ireland Blyth Limited
1 Queen Street
PO Box 53
Port Louis, MAURITIUS

Chennai, India (Suggested airmail date February 23)
March 9, 2006
J.M. Baxi & CO.
3rd Floor, Clive Battery Complex
4 & 4A, Rajaji Salai
Chennai-600 001, INDIA

Yangon, Myanmar (Suggested airmail date March 2)
March 16, 2006
Myanmar Port Authority
Sea Horse Agency
347/1st Floor, Mahabandoola Road
Kyauktada, Yangon, Myanmar

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Suggested airmail date March 11)
March 26, 2006
General Forwarding & Agency
5th Floor Osic Building
8 Nguyen Hue Avenue
D. 1, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM

Hong Kong (Suggested airmail date March 20)
April 3, 2006
Inchcape Shipping Services (HK) Ltd.
Units 1802-1805, 18th Floor
No 3 Lockhart Road
Wanchai, HONG KONG-CHINA

Qindao, China (Suggested airmail date March 24)
April 7, 2006
Penavico Qingdao
21 Wuxia Road
Quingdao, 266002, P.R. CHINA

Kobe, Japan (Suggested airmail date March 28)
April 11, 2006
Inchcape Shipping Services
Kenryu Bldg, Room 502
6, Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku
Kobe-shi, Hyogo-Ken 650-0024
JAPAN

25 days and counting...

It's Christmas Day, December 25, and coincidentally enough it is also 25 days until I board the MV Explorer to embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime trip known as Semester at Sea!

Welcome to my journal. I will be using it while I am at sea from January 19th until April 28th of 2006. Enjoy, check back often, and leave comments and/or email me. :)

The MV Explorer is a 24,300-ton ship with a length of 525 feet, beam of 84 feet and draft of 24 feet. It was built in 2002 by German shipbuilders Blohm & Voss, and is the fastest passenger ship in the world with a cruising speed of 28 knots. In terms of facilities, it boasts a computer lab with Internet access, student union, mini library, campus store, 2 dining rooms, 9 classrooms, swimming pool, lounges, over 350 cabins, and a fitness center.

The program itself started in 1963 and has more than 42,000 alumni. Students spend a semester (or summer) visiting other countries and cultures while earning academic credit. The academic sponsor recently changed from the University of Pittsburgh to the University of Virginia.